When you begin your search for the best auto insurance rates, it’s helpful to have all the information you need in front of you before you get started. Taking a few minutes beforehand to organize your information and to give some thought to what kind of, or how much coverage you want or need can help you to get the most accurate quote for your needs.
Personal Information
__ Basic information such as name, address, email and date of birth
__ Credit Rating (This is a general rating such as poor, average or excellent)
Vehicle Information
__ Vehicle year, make and model OR VIN (VIN will get you the most accurate quote)
__ Commute Miles (Estimate how many days per week and how many miles you drive to and from work)
__ Annual Miles (Estimate of total miles you put on your vehicles each year)
Claims and Violations
You will need this information for the past five years.
__ Date of claim or accident
__ State the incident occurred in
__ Type of incident (DUI, Speeding Ticket, Accident)
__ Whether or not you were at-fault
__ Amount of any insurance money paid to you for the incident
Insurance Information
__ Name of your current insurance company
__ Expiration date of your current policy
__ Current coverage limits to compare apples-to-apples
__ Amount of your current deductible payment
Think About Extras
Decide whether you would like to add optional insurance coverages such as:
__ Collision coverage
__ Comprehensive coverage
__ Windshield replacement
__ Rental reimbursement
__ Trip interruption (Covers hotels and meals if you are in an accident on trip)
Look For Discounts
Most insurance companies offer discounts for various reasons. Make sure you are aware of and are taking advantage of all the discounts you may be entitled to.
__ Accident forgiveness
__ College degree discount
__ Good student discount
__ Homeowner discount
__ Married discount
__ Multiple policy discount (multiple vehicles, home, health and life insurance)
__ Discounts at other stores for using a particular insurance company
There are so many options today when shopping for the best auto insurance companies and rates. The internet allows you to shop and compare car insurance estimates from many companies from the comfort of your own home.
Searching for the best car insurance rates takes a little bit of time and organization, but if you know what you have, how you use your vehicles and what you want, you can save hundreds on your yearly insurance costs.
